Reviews

Schooled in classical music, with a second degree from the school of hard knocks, Rachelle Coba made it to the semifinal round at the IBC, in Memphis in 2013, representing the Topeka Blues Society. Her considerable talents brought her to the attention of many of the blues most notable performers, resulted in extended national engagements with Grady Champion, Junior Drinkwater, Super Chikan, and Ray Drew. She has also toured as an opener for blues/rock legend Johnny Winter and Coco Montoya as well as playing the blues and opening for countless artists including A.C. Reed, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Dr. John. She also travelled with Matt Murphy as his music director. All that said, Rachelle Coba is a spectacular guitarist, a superb songwriter, writing all but one of her debut album’s dozen tracks. She is also a very strong vocalist, incorporating elements of her many influences into her own style which is both powerful and emotionally charged, cutting straight through to the heart. Her guitar style walks that fine line between the technically flawless and the emotionally charged work that emanates from the heart capturing the power and feel of the moment. Add the work of a band that is equally skilled in so many respects and you have a winner, hands down. From the driving, powerhouse blues to the sensual ballads, Rachelle covers all her bases in such a way that showcases her exceptional work as a guitarist. Whether it is the raw power of the mama lion or that soft touch that can be every bit as powerful, this woman has a vocal range that is second to none. Whether playing solo or with the backing of a full band this woman has the ability to capture an audience and hold them spellbound throughout her performance. Coba is a world-class talent, playing with a style and finesse rarely heard anymore. The phrase “Slowhand” comes to mind as her guitar style at times reflects that same sophistication and elegance as that of Clapton or B.B. King. This is an album that I can listen to repeatedly without tiring of it. Her style has a timeless quality that, quite frankly, will never get old. This multi-talented artist can hold her own with the best of them whether as a guitarist, songwriter or vocalist. Rachelle Coba is the real deal and someone I feel confident recommending without reservation. – Bill Wilson

NEVER BEEN TO MEMPHIS–AIN’T GOT TIME (TO FALL IN LOVE)–WORRIED BLUES–BETWEEN THE TRACKS–CHICAGO–TELEPHONE SONG–MOTHER BLUES–A MAN LIKE YOU–VIEW FROM HERE–LET YOUR LOVE SHINE–BONUS TRACKS: NEVER BEEN TO MEMPHIS (REMIX)–BETWEEN THE TRACKS (REMIX)

Rachelle Coba is no stranger to the blues. She began as a classical guitarist, but soon adapted that finger-picking style to a blues career. Since then, she has backed players such as Albert Castiglia and Super Chikan, and served as Matt “Guitar” Murphy’s music director. And, amongst all those things, she somehow found the time to write and record her solo debut for Mono Records, “Mother Blues.”

Rachelle wrings all kinds of emotion out of her Strat with those talented fingers, and has a sweet-and-sassy voice that we immediately fell in love with! And, she covers just about every genre’ one can imagine over the course of these ten originals, with two bonus tracks remixed.

She sings in the opener that she’s “Never Been To Memphis,” but you’d never know it from listening to the next cut, “Ain’t Got Time.” Her guitar leads recall the soulful strut of the legendary Stax Studio, and the backing vocal chorus adds to the authenticity. Want a little jazz? Then check out the brush-stroked drums backing Rachelle’s understated guitar in “Worried Blues” and the tale of “A Man Like You,” who’s an irresistible heartbreaker!

Rachelle’s voice and guitar are the only sounds in the Delta-styled “View From Here,” with a wee touch of gospel. She tears up the strings in the slash-and-burn slow-blues of “Telephone Song,” as she can never seem to get a straight answer from her lover, who’s always “busy with a friend or two!”

We had several favorites, too. She rocks the house on that leadoff cut, stating that she’s been all over the world, but “Never Been To Memphis,” and, thus, haas a “great big hole in my soul!” A freight train is the metaphor for love in the somber, poignant, “Between The Tracks,” and it’s the one train that everyone wants to ride! And, the title cut is a sho’ nuff history lesson in four minutes. “Mother Blues” is the “mother of all music,” from Dixieland to jazz to R & B and everything in between!

It’s hard to fathom that a player as talented as Rachelle Coba has never recorded previously. But, after hearing “Mother Blues,” we are sure she will have a legion of fans clamoring for more!! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.

RACHELLE COBA/Mother Blues: And here we find a new blues mama working her way through the new apprentice system honing her chops as she goes. A classical guitarist that switched sides when she felt the hormones raging, she’s been working her way through the blues cruises, the side gigs with heavy weights including being music director for Matt Murphy and anything else bluesy that can move her forward. She’s got everything except the heroin tinged raspy throat. With so much other stuff going on, including a love and passion for guitar based blues, we’ll deal with this dose of ‘suburban’ blues nicely, thank you. All that and she does a blistering job of original writing as well. Following in the footsteps of the white boys that have been perfecting rocking blues as a show, Coba’s got our vote for giving the best bang for your entertainment buck. This is a first class snapshot of an ace on the rise.

“Whether playing solo or with the backing of a full band this woman has the ability to capture an audience and hold them spellbound throughout her performance. Coba is a world-class talent, playing with a style and finesse rarely heard anymore. The phrase “Slowhand” comes to mind as her guitar style at times reflects that same sophistication and elegance as that of Clapton or B.B. King. Her style has a timeless quality that, quite frankly, will never get old. This multi-talented artist can hold her own with the best of them whether as a guitarist, songwriter or vocalist. Rachelle Coba is the real deal and someone I feel confident recommending without reservation.” Bill Wilson – Reflections in Blue (Apr 02, 2014)

“Rachelle wrings all kinds of emotion out of her Strat with those talented fingers, and has a sweet-and-sassy voice that we immediately fell in love with! She sings in the opener that she’s “Never Been To Memphis,” but you’d never know it from listening to the next cut, “Ain’t Got Time.” Her guitar leads recall the soulful strut of the legendary Stax Studio, and the backing vocal chorus adds to the authenticity.” Sheryl and Don Crow, Don and Sheryls Blues Blog (Mar 29, 2014)

This is a first class snapshot of an ace on the rise. CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher Midwest Record

Voted Best Blues Performer…Rachelle represented the Topeka Blues Society as a solo performer at the International Blues Challenge in 2013 making it to the semifinal round in Memphis, Tennessee. Previously Rachelle and her band placed first at the Wichita Blues Society’s 2011 Blues Challenge. (She last won in 2009 as a solo performer.) This distinction additionally qualified her to compete in the IBC during Jan-Feb, 2012.

This award and opportunity is welcome news to those who have recently heard Ms. Coba sing and play guitar. As one music critic put it:
“Blessed with a voice made for the blues and a guitar sensibility that emphasizes the groove, Rachelle Coba is an intuitive performer able to grab an audience by the heart with innovative originals and unique stylings – acoustic or electric – of blues classics.”

A “National” Local

Degreed in music and educated “back in the alley,” Rachelle has sung and played the blues for audiences from the Florida Keys to NYC to LA. Recently returned to her hometown of Wichita, KS for work on her first album, Rachelle brings her national touring and teaching experience to local club performances and guitar lessons/workshops.

When it comes to this magazine‘s favorite music, many fans fall into one of two camps. One favors traditional styles and the ‘old’ masters, claiming that these are the true representatives of the blues. Another camp embraces modern motifs of rhythm, lyrics and vocals, claiming that relatively new blues bands are just as worthy of the title of ’blues masters’ as genre founders. Is there a happy medium between these two camps, an artist that will appeal to traditionalists and contemporary blues lovers alike? Her name is Rachelle Coba, from Wichita, Kansas, paying deep respect to “Mother Blues” on her debut album. According to her website, “Rachelle represented the Topeka Blues Society as a solo performer at the International Blues Challenge in 2013, making it to the semifinal round in Memphis, Tennessee. Previously Rachelle and her band placed first at the Wichita Blues Society’s 2011 Blues Challenge. This distinction additionally qualified her to compete in the IBC during Jan.-Feb. 2012.” Performing with her on this album are drummer Karl T. Himmel, bassists Jacob Webb and David M. Santos, guitarists Jerry Hahn and Robert Cardwell, and Ray Murry and Ron Taylor on piano and organ. Of twelve sensational songs, only one is a cover (the title track, Sam Taylor, Jr.’s “Mother Blues”). The following three are her best originals:

Track 02: “Ain’t Got Time (To Fall in Love)” – Track two is a mellow blues rock ballad in which Rachelle channels a subtle vocal undertone of Aretha Franklin. “I ain’t got time to get caught up,” she tells a potential lover. “I’m not trying to be chased. I ain’t got time to go running after you, boy. I can’t believe this is what you think I gotta do, I ain’t got time to fall in love with you.” This is an anthem for our post-courtship age of Facebook and Twitter, Tinder and OKCupid, and most of all, speed dating.

Track 06: “Telephone Song” – Purists will rejoice in sizzling number six, definitely not to be confused with Lady Gaga’s “Telephone.” “I never asked for no money,” Rachelle tells her unresponsive partner. “You never hear me asking ‘Who?’ It’s taking all your time from me, honey. You’ve got to know I have the blues! I just want to have a talk with you.” This song oozes with traditional blues, mixing vibrant instrumentation to produce a slow-tempo gem.

Track 08: “A Man Like You” – Combining blues and smooth jazz, “A Man Like You” is easy on the ears but hard on the heart: “I told you once; I told you twice. Tried so hard to make you realize. Took God six days and seven nights – it took only one for you, baby, to ruin my life.” Rachelle’s best vocals are featured here, sultry and tender at the same time.

Reviewer Rainey Wetnight is a 34 year old female Blues fan. She brings the perspective of a younger blues fan to reviews. A child of 1980s music, she was strongly influenced by her father’s blues music collection.

“Whether playing solo or with the backing of a full band this woman has the ability to capture an audience and hold them spellbound throughout her performance. Coba is a world-class talent, playing with a style and finesse rarely heard anymore. The phrase “Slowhand” comes to mind as her guitar style at times reflects that same sophistication and elegance as that of Clapton or B.B. King. Her style has a timeless quality that, quite frankly, will never get old. This multi-talented artist can hold her own with the best of them whether as a guitarist, songwriter or vocalist. Rachelle Coba is the real deal and someone I feel confident recommending without reservation. – Bill Wilson” – Bill Wilson, Reflections in Blue (Apr 02, 2014)

“Rachelle wrings all kinds of emotion out of her Strat with those talented fingers, and has a sweet-and-sassy voice that we immediately fell in love with! She sings in the opener that she’s “Never Been To Memphis,” but you’d never know it from listening to the next cut, “Ain’t Got Time.” Her guitar leads recall the soulful strut of the legendary Stax Studio, and the backing vocal chorus adds to the authenticity.”- Sheryl and Don Crow, Don and Sheryls Blues Blog (Mar 29, 2014)